"Well, let's go." Hazel led the way through the forest.

Shadow nodded and followed her.

She could see the den. "There it is!" she said, pointing with her paw. "The cubs are asleep, so I think we'll be able to sneak in"

Shadow nodded "yeah that is good." he said with a smile

Hazel wakled in to see the cubs still sleeping and she called out, "You come in and sleep. No border patrols for you tonight.

Shadow came in after her and layed down next to her "yeah I guessed that." he siad softly

She sighed. "This talk was coming. There is something special about you, and it's not that your animal guide is a human." she fixed him with a look. "the good thing about it is that maybe it will rub off on the cubs."

Shadow looked at her "yeah maybe it will." he said "but I have no idea why I am special."

"Neither do I. But let's try to get some sleep." She licked his head and lay down.

Shadow nodded "good idea" he said and was soon fast asleep

Celest woke in mid-morning. She had a dim recollection of running, and she realized they were not in the cave. "Hey, you two, wake up!" She poked them with her paw.

Shadow woke up and looked at Celest. "what is it little one?" he asked softly

"You go to sleep." Celest said, prodding Tyson in the side.

Shadow sighed and closed his eyes but stayed awake just incase.

Tyson finally got up and so did Umay. "Let's go outside!" Umay said, dashing outside with Celest on her heels. "You go on ahead, I'm to sleepy." Tyson sank back into sleep. Celest looked at Umaym alarmed. Tyson was usually the first one up!

Alex heard them and woke up "what is going on?" he asked half asleep

Tyson was snoring and couldn't answer.

Alex saw Tyson and was to tired to think about where Celest and Umay where so he layed back down and fell asleep

Celest and Umay sat down. "What is wrong with Tyson?" "Maybe he is sick." "Maybe he's in love!" "Who would it be with?" "... true." "So what's wrong?" "Maybe he's just tired." "Nonsense! He's never just tired!"

Shadow couldn't stand being inside anymore since he harldy ever slept in a cave. He got up quietly and went ouside. He layed down near the cave and looked up into the sky.

Celest motioned for Umay to be quiet. "Why?" "Shadow came outside!" "Oh." Umay glanced over at Tyson. "You know, he seems.... larger." "Why?" "I dunno, like he's more grown-up."

Shadow heard the kids but didn't think anything of it. He just continued to look at the sky and started to howl

((... its morning. DAYLIGHT))

The cubs jumped when thye heard him, and so did Hazel. She thought it was another warning, but it was nothing. to jumpy to go back to sleep she padded out of the cave and said, "Really Shadow, you'll tell the humans where we are and quite frankly you scared me half to the Dark Gates."

((sorry forgot))

Shadow stoped and looked at Hazel "sorry but I had to." he siad softly.

((it ok))

"Why would that be?" she asked sarcastically. "Look, I know we are confused about what happened last night, but let's try to move on and raise our cubs. I think Tyson is growing up." Tyson had finally woken up and was trotting toward Celest and Umay. "He does look bigger!" Celest whispered.